Reading Area Water Authority
EPA ID: PA3060059 · 95,100 people served · 11 ZIP codes
ZipCheckup's reading of EPA SDWIS for Reading Area Water Authority (PA3060059): 1 past health-based violation, since resolved. Water monitoring history for Reading Area Water Authority includes 3 violations, each addressed and closed - the system holds no active EPA enforcement today for its 95,100 residents.
Data: EPA SDWIS
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Reading Area Water Authority Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary - Grade D
Service Area Demographics
The Reading Area Water Authority serves a community with a median household income of $81,872 and an estimated 220,218 residents across its service area. Approximately 75% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Reading Area Water Authority's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.
Wastewater Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 70th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points. Surface water sources near wastewater outfalls may face additional treatment challenges.
Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 60th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Reading Area Water Authority compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Contaminant 0800 at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 58 detections recorded. 12 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS).
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
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Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.
System Overview
Reading Area Water Authority (EPA ID: PA3060059) is a community water system in Pennsylvania that serves approximately 95,100 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 11 ZIP codes across 4 communities.
ZIP-Area Home Safety Context: D (45/100)
This is the average Home Safety Score for 4 of 11 service-area ZIP codes with all required score domains observed. It is not a grade for the water utility.
Model 4.0.0 uses SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, the UCMR 5 PFAS MCL screen, EPA radon zone, and annual EPA AirData AQI across three equally weighted domains. Missing required evidence suppresses the score.
Violation History
Status breakdown for accepted records with record years 2021-2026: 3 resolved, 0 archived, 0 addressed, and 0 unaddressed. Under this source contract, current noncompliance is the sum of addressed and unaddressed records. Archived and resolved records are excluded from current noncompliance.
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 1, 2025 | Contaminant 0800 | Health-based | Resolved |
| January 1, 2022 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| January 1, 2022 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Non-health-based | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 0800 | Other Violation | 1 | Yes |
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule evidence attributed directly to this water system:
| Lead Level | Exceeds Action Level | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|
| 0 mg/L | No | N/A |
No copper action-level exceedance record appears for this PWSID in the accepted LCR snapshot. This does not establish a clean copper measurement.
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Need help with your water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
Coverage: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by PA or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.
- 19506 - Bernville
- 19533 - Leesport
- 19540 - Mohnton
- 19601 - Reading
- 19602 - Reading
- 19604 - Reading
- 19605 - Reading
- 19606 - Reading
- 19607 - Reading
- 19610 - Reading
- 19611 - Reading
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Reading Area Water Authority (PA3060059) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Reading Area Water Authority water safe to drink?
The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot shows no current noncompliance for Reading Area Water Authority; its 3 accepted 2021-2026 records are resolved or archived. Historical compliance status does not establish conditions at a specific tap.
How many people does Reading Area Water Authority serve?
Reading Area Water Authority serves approximately 95,100 people across 11 ZIP codes in Pennsylvania.
Where does Reading Area Water Authority get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Detected
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). PFAS compounds were detected below the current state-enforceable MCL.
Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.
Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →
How Water Systems Appear in Rankings
Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (n.d.). Reading Area Water Authority (PA): 1 Health Violation. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/pa3060059/
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author = {{ZipCheckup}},
title = {{Reading Area Water Authority (PA): 1 Health Violation}},
year = {n.d.},
url = {https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/pa3060059/}
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What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
Reading Area Water Authority (EPA ID: PA3060059) - request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.